Fixed-phrase translation apps were preferred over real-time voice-to-voice apps by both older people and staff

Description #

After demonstrating and appraising three apps, both older CALD participants and healthcare staff favoured fixed-phrase translation apps (with supporting audio, text and pictures) over the real-time voice-to-voice translation offered by Google Translate. Preset-phrase apps were seen as easier and more reliable, while the free-translation voice feature was viewed as harder to use and less accurate.

"The findings from participants' appraisal suggests that despite the flexibility of Google Translate™, fixed-phrase translation apps with audio-visual features were preferred by both older people and nursing and allied health staff." (Panayiotou, 2020, p. 3523)

"While participants enjoyed the real-time voice-to-voice translation function of Google Translate™, several participants found it difficult or confusing to use, and accuracy of the translation was a problem." (Panayiotou, 2020, p. 3522)

Methods Context #

What? #ⓘ

The observable: participants' comparative preference between fixed-phrase apps and real-time voice-to-voice translation apps for healthcare communication.

"There are generally two types of translation apps: fixed-phrase translation apps and open translation apps." (Panayiotou, 2020, p. 3517)

How? #ⓘ

Preference elicited through hands-on demonstration and appraisal of three iPad-compatible apps (A-0018ArtifactA-0018Initial AI draftCALD Assist translation appA mobile healthcare translation app used by ward staff to communicate low-risk, everyday care messages to older CALD patients with limited English proficiency when a professional interpreter is not available or feasible.…, A-0017ArtifactA-0017Initial AI draftTalk To Me translation appA mobile healthcare translation app used by ward staff to convey low-risk everyday care messages to older CALD patients with limited English proficiency in the absence of a professional interpreter. "Talk To Me was devel…, and A-0016ArtifactA-0016Initial AI draftGoogle TranslateA free, general-purpose machine translation app increasingly used as an ad-hoc communication tool in healthcare settings to bridge language barriers with LEP patients, including via voice-to-voice translation. "One such…) followed by focus group discussion and a rating survey.

"Three iPad compatible translation apps were selected for demonstration and appraisal by the participants—CALD Assist, TalkToMe and Google Translate™." (Panayiotou, 2020, p. 3518)

Who? #ⓘ

Older Greek and Chinese CALD community members (n = 12) and nursing/allied health staff (n = 17) in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia.

"Both types of study participants participated in the consultations in a group format." (Panayiotou, 2020, p. 3518)

Other Notes #

Qualitative preference finding synthesised across the appraisal and focus group data; no single figure/table (text-only). Related quantitative appraisal ratings are captured separately in the Table 4 EVD.

Caveats #

• Small non-representative convenience sample from two migrant communities and sub-acute aged-care staff limits generalizability The perception findings come from a small convenience sample drawn from only two older migrant communities (Greek and Chinese, n = 12), recruited through ethno-specific organisations, plus nursing/allied-health staff (n = 17) working only in sub-acute aged-care settings. The authors note this limits generalisability to other migrant communities and other areas of health care, and that the small samples precluded evaluating differences between cultural groups or professions. Perceptions are therefore contextual to these groups and settings rather than broadly representative.